Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1887-04-14
WAHINGToN LETTER.
tFRo1 OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
was,,ino,o, ar,,, n 1897


will see more of the pomp and cir
cumstance of war than ever before.
1t Is probable, too, that the largest
crowd of visitors that eyer assembled
in this city will come to witness the
most novel event that will take
place here during the present year.
The national drill will commence on
the %, OF May and close on the 30,
OF that month. Decoration day.
with grand combination parade
upon the broad asphalt streets of
soldiers from everywhere.
The north, south, east and west,
lake regions and gulf sections will
be represented by their contingent
Of slghtseers as we'll as their citizen
soldiery who will compete for the
prizes. May finds Washington in
It's glory; fresh verdure, balmy air
and flowers, and military displays
are always popular. The flare of
brass bands, the shrill piping of flies
the heroic voices of buglss, the rat
tling Of drums, the FURNISHED arms,
brilliant uniforms, prancing steeds,
white city of tents, and flying BAN
ners always appeal to the senses
and martial spirits of the people.
The grounds for the camp are the
monument grounds lying around the
Washington monument; and the
drill ground is that level clips lying
just south of the white house, known
as the White lot. This level plain
is one-half mile in circumference
and stands will be erected around 1t
on which to seat the spectators.
Here will daily be held the contests
to prove the excellence OF the caval-
ry infantry artillery and zouave tao
tics. Every evening during drill
week there will be grand brigade
dress parade, and on governer's day
and memorial day the entire army
corps from camp George Washington
will parade through the streets of
the city. Each evening also the
grounds will be illuminated for prom
enade concerts and other attractions
which are being prepared for the
public.
Besides the $26, 500 to be distrib-
uted in cash prizes, there will be
gold, silver and bronze medals, spe-
cial medals and plate trophies and
of colors. Some of the CON- panfes
which are entered for drill have said
in advance that they haYe no expec-
tation of winning the prizes but they
are coming simply fer the recreation
and pleasure of the trip. Thirty
six states are already represented
in the applications made for entry,
and yesterday one was received at
the drill headquarters from Dako-
Ia.
One very important feature of
the affair is provision fer board and
shelter for the immense crowd of
visitors that will come. Washing
ton is a city of hotels and boarding
houses. 1t was not cowded during
the Cleveland Inauguration, although
it was estimated that there were
then two hundred thousand stran-
gers IN the city. Washington offers
many inducements for weeks visit
besides the national drill. 1t is by
far the most beautiful as well as the
most interesting city in the Union,
and Arlington, Bladensburg,
Mount Vernon. Harpers Ferry and
many other historic spots are close
by it.
The action of the two military
companies iu Withdrawing from tht
drill because OF participation of col
ored troops II the contest created NJ
little surprise among the managers.
At first they we're disposed t.
discredit the dispatches from Ala
bama. When they were conirme,
Secretary De Leon Of the drlll com
mittee remarked that he did not pro
pose to crIticise the withdrawal o
the Montgomery companies, the.
had perfect right to come or nc
as they pleased; but regarding tn
admission of the Virginia stat
Eguards, he said that they are recoe
nized and regularly organized so
Idiess of the state OF Virginia, an
their right to enter could not be &c
rled under any law, cilvii, militar
or moral. Gov. Lee had ass;ghe
them places in the military ceremC
, hies at the laying of the corner stop
of Richmond's city hall: Cur con
mhtee, said he is composed slmoi
of Democrats and of southern men
but there was not the least hesitanc
or delay when the first colored con
! pany made its formal application.
The Montgomery grays and Il
true blues are the only orgaDizatiC
which have withdrawn, but in vic
of the fact that colcred soldiery toe
). part in The Inauguration cf Prcslds
Cleveland without giving offence
any section, it is to be regretted th
the adm,ttaEce Of eoiored milital
to natl nal encampment of volu
tcer seldiery, intended {, ilinstra